Cultured meat, also referred to as cultivated meat, lab-grown or in-vitro meat, represents a new approach to food production. It involves the growth of animal cells within a controlled environment, thereby eliminating the necessity of farming animals in order to produce meat.
At the present time, the ethical-philosophical debate on cultured meat continues to flourish and evolve (Alvaro, 2022; Robison-Greene, 2022; Bramble, 2023; Milburn, 2023). The issues that have been raised extend beyond the field of animal ethics, opening up a broader horizon for discussion. The considerations are multifaceted and address a range of interconnected issues, including environmental implications (e.g. the climate benefits of cultivated meat), food matters (e.g. the relationship between cultured meat and veganism), economic impacts (e.g. the effect on the meat industry), cultural attitudes (e.g. the perception of in-vitro meat), health concerns, and even the politicization of the debate.
Although the discussion surrounding animal ethics constitutes the primary focus, this Topical Collection aims to contribute to the broader ethical-philosophical debate on cultured meat. Accordingly, the overarching goal is to provide a comprehensive examination of a wide range of ethical-philosophical, cultural, social, and political issues.
- The ethical implications of cultured meat for animal welfare, also considering its role in facilitating a shift towards more ethical treatment of animals.
- The consumption of cultured meat as an ethically virtuous alternative and its effect on our understanding of animals as fellow creatures.
- The contribution of cultured meat as a replacement for animal slaughter towards the reinforcement of the principle of distributive justice and the promotion of animal rights.
- The relevance of the concept of the ‘wisdom of repugnance’ (or ‘yuck factor’) as it relates to the perception of cultured meat.
- A philosophical analysis of the opinions of producers and prospective consumers of cultured meat, based on the findings of quantitative and qualitative studies.
- The contribution of cultured meat to environmental sustainability.
- The impact of cultured meat on global food distribution, particularly within the context of socio-economically disadvantaged regions.
- The impact of cultured meat on the broader food production and economic landscape of the agricultural sector.
- The conceptualization of cultured meat as an ethical food product in the context of the debate surrounding veganism.
- The role of cultured meat on dietary choices and human health.
Deadline for submission is 28 February 2026.